Power Integrated Resource Plan
The Power Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is Pasadena’s long-range blueprint for supplying reliable and environmentally responsible electricity at competitive rates.
Power Integrated Resource Plan Virtual Community Meeting April 2023
Thursday, April 27, 6-8 p.m.
To join the webinar online: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86415349561
Webinar ID: 864 1534 9561
To join by telephone: Call (669) 900-6833 and enter the code 864 1534 9561 when prompted.
Participants will be able to ask questions during the meeting, and staff will set aside time to review and answer questions. For more information, email WPD_IRP@cityofpasadena.net, or call (626) 744-4005.
For accessibility information, or to request an accommodation, please contact (626) 744-7311 or CSC@cityofpasadena.net. Providing at least 72 hours advance notice will help ensure availability.
Watch the February 22, 2023 Power IRP Meeting
Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group
To ensure that the priorities of the community continue to be represented in PWP’s IRP process, a diverse Stakeholder Technical Advisory Group (STAG) of ratepayers, residential and commercial customers, environmental advisory groups, City Commissioners, and City Leaders and City Staff was created for the 2023 IRP. Participation provides STAG members with a unique opportunity to provide valuable input on power supply issues important to the community. The STAG also assists in identifying priorities, actions, and timelines included in the IRP.
Tentative Schedule for 2023 Power IRP Development
| Tentative Dates | Tentative Milestones |
| May 2022 | Reponses to RFP Due |
| June-July 2022 | IRP project team interviews |
| November 2022 | Select IRP project team |
| December 2022 | Stakeholder Process to begin with IRP project team |
| January-March 2023 | Public Meetings |
| April 2023 | Outline of IRP |
| June 2023 | Draft of IRP delivered by IRP project team |
| July 2023 | Final IRP delivered by IRP project team |
| October - November 2023 | City Council Approval |
| December 2023 | Submit 2023 IRP to the California Energy Commission |
Previous Power IRPs
PWP produces an IRP every five years in accordance with Senate Bill (SB) 350 and issues periodic voluntary updates, when necessary. IRPs have been published in 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018, and, most recently in 2021.
2021 IRP Update
The 2021 IRP Update was approved by the City Council on January 31, 2022. Developed with the same goals established through the 2018 IRP stakeholder process, the 2021 document expands on the 2018 plan in light of current laws, regulations, and energy market conditions, which have changed significantly during the past three years.
The continued growth of renewable resources has required California to update its regulatory structure and strategic approach to meeting the state’s ambitious GHG reduction goals. Accordingly, the California Independent System Operator (CAISO), which oversees California’s power grid, is undergoing modification of its operating tariff, which will affect PWP’s continued participation in the CAISO energy markets. In addition, costs of renewable resources continue to fall, due to technology advancement and tax incentives.
Due to these external factors, the 2021 IRP Update features revised projections of PWP’s power supply portfolio and recommends that approximately 260 megawatts (MW) of new capacity supplies will be necessary by 2030 to yield 120 MW of firm capacity. This new capacity includes zero-carbon resources (wind, solar, storage and hybrids), modest demand response, and short-term purchases of capacity to meet residual obligations to the CAISO. The added capacity addresses PWP’s strategic goals, including:
- Meeting forecasted peak and energy loads
- Achieving California’s Renewable Portfolio Standards
- Reducing carbon emissions to zero by the end of 2045
- Meeting new capacity planning standards and reliability criteria in California
2021 IRP Update Recommendations
- Review increasing near-term procurement recommendations and potentially adding 70 MW of firm capacity by 2025 for reliability and Resource Adequacy program requirements (approximately 120 MW nameplate capacity of wind, solar and hybrid resources, excluding storage)
- Investigate energy storage options for capacity requirements and local reliability needs. The 2021 IRP Update identifies 50 MW nameplate of cost-effective storage to be added by 2025
- Continue efforts toward achieving 60% RPS by 2030 and net-zero carbon by 2045
- Examine potential alternative fuel sources for local reliability resources, such as biogas and green hydrogen at Glenarm Power Plant
- Refine forecasted growth of electric vehicle charging in Pasadena
2018 Power IRP
Pasadena’s 2018 IRP, one of the earliest to be produced in California that is compliant with the ambitious environmental targets of SB-100, was approved by the City Council on December 10, 2018. Developed through an extensive community stakeholder process designed to evaluate resource planning options that would best balance system reliability with fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship, the 2018 IRP recommends carbon-free long-term resource commitments, elimination of coal-fired generation, and aggressive greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets.
Strategies include:
- Achieving the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) target of 60% by 2030 as required by SB-100
- Meeting the California Air Resources Board’s recommended GHG emissions reduction planning target of at least 75% below 1990 levels by 2030
- Eliminating coal from PWP’s power portfolio by June 2027
- Non-participation in the Intermountain Power Renewal Project, a 50-year natural gas coal facility replacement project
- Meeting local energy needs without any new long-term contracts for fossil-fueled resources
- Utilization of a Social Cost of Carbon for long-range planning purposes (as a dispatch penalty in the production cost model)
Learn More About Previous Power IRPs
PWP has made significant progress towards achieving the goals set in previous Power IRPs. To view archived Power IRP documents, click here.
